Science Toy (Help me set price)

[Reebs]

Science Toy (Help me set price)
I made this trebuchet the other day. It took about 1.5 – 2 hrs to make. I have about $15 in it if I had to purchase all the metal new. It stands about 23” tall. WHat do you think I should charge? I have a workshop this weekend and want to pitch the idea.

[MPK]

I don't see a picture.

[prop-doctor]

not much help but lets say 30 an hr. so 60 then 15 in mat. thats 75 a good start
unless your time is less
or 15 for material add 20% ok 18 then + labor 20 an hr 18 +40 lets say 59.95
can ask for top an go down
can't ask for bottom then go up

[Reebs]

I'm not sure what happened to the pictures.

[Reebs]

Picture two

[DSW]

I take it you are pitching this to other teachers at a teachers workshop. If so, while $75 is a fair price for your time and materials, I wonder if the other teachers would be willing to spend that much of their own money on a class item. $50 might be more reasonable, especially if you are trying to sell several rather than one. If you assembly line the units you could cut your time down on each and still make a few bucks to sink into new tools or the next science project for your kids. You might pitch it saying if several people want one you can give them a "discount" if you build them all at once and save them some money. Somewhere between $50-$75 sounds about right to me.

[metalmeltr]

You could probely sell the hell out of them at $50

[Reebs]

Thanks guys. This helps alot
I will ask $45-50.
In a science catalog they would be $150 - 200. I'm not sure they ever sell any however.

[60Driver]

That looks like an awesome project to build with my boys. You mind posting some plans?

[oxygen454]

I would say at least $50. If the science catalog company sells them for more, $50 would be making you some money at the same time be affordable.

[tanglediver]

Fifty bucks and a legal waiver.
"You'll shoot your eye out kid."

[Heisenberg]

Looks cool! I have been meaning to make one since watching pumpkin chunkin on tv. A few questions though..... What are you using as a counter weight? Whats your ideal launching material? Small fruits and vegtables, tennis balls, golf balls? Water balloons might work and would be harmless enough for kids to use in the backyard without busting any windows!

As for a price..... I think people would pay more if you made a Youtube video showing how good it works. Maybe offer a build-it-yourself kit in addition to the completed one. That way a youngin can build it with his daddy and learn a thing or two about physics in the process. And it would take up less space in storage or during shipping.

[weldbead]

in that first pic.. does the cat have a mouse in his paws? you could do a demo at the workshop and show how the trebouchet will toss a mouse, maybe get $75 instead of $50...

[dumb as a stump]

does the cat have a mouse in his paws?
Once again proving the peanut gallery doesn't miss a thing...
hahaha

[Reebs]

Ok peanut gallary
The cat is high as a kite it has a mouse (fabric) loaded with cat nip.

Heisenberg
We fling golf balls. I drill an eye screw in them and attach a string to the ball. The string slips over the hook.
Youtube video is a great idea. The class I teach started in the summer all the teachers used a smaller less sturby treb for an inclass activity. We launched golf balls over 100 feet.
Counter weights are plate steel scrap from a burn out table. I have weights from 15-50 pounds. I used to use old barbell weights with a hook welded on them.

60Driver
I do not have plans but attached is file that might help. The ratio of the fulrum/lever arm is about 4:1.
From fulrum to end with golf ball is 20.5 ".
From fulcrum to counter weight is 5.5"

We have not "dialed in" how long the string should be that attaches to the golf ball. When the weather breaks some science neard and i will figure it out.

[bert the welder]

$75 sounds like a good deal imho. Did you include primer/paint and time in your calculation?
If someone wants a deal, sell a version unpainted.
Just my .02

[Fat Bastard]

One million dollars. Bruhaha

[weldbead]

Originally Posted by dumb as a stump

does the cat have a mouse in his paws?
Once again proving the peanut gallery doesn't miss a thing...
hahaha

somewhere in a box somewhere my house is a real foto from 1952 of me and buffalo bob..in the peanut gallery...

[Reebs]

Well I did not sell one!!!
No one even ask me the price!!!!!!
I kind of screwed my self on this. I sold 6 trebs. for $30 each the month before. That money went to my school. I kind of sold to those who would buy in the first place. Summer is coming and we have been funded for 2 different year long work shops.

[mattlago]

Sorry to hear you didnt sell any. What a neat project that really draws in kids.

Hate to say it but tanglediver mentioned it before and I think he was right (joking or not) about a legal waiver. This country is a little nuts this way. I had offered to fab some stuff for my kids school a while back for some downhill racers and there was discussion of bonds and insurance that made me walk away from it. Not to mention it was an act of congress from school boards to allow any of it. Shame.

That being said, maybe the school isnt your avenue to sell them. Maybe craigslist, ebay or flea markets.

Anyway, cool idea. Hope ya keep at it.